National recognition for Southampton’s success in business innovation

Published: 14 November 2007

The University of Southampton’s impressive spin-out record and success in commercialising academic research has once again been recognised, following its nomination in the Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology Award category at the prestigious third annual Times Higher Awards 2007.

This year’s awards received a record number of entries with more than 90 per cent of UK universities entered in one or more category. The winners will be announced at the Awards dinner on 29 November at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London.

Commenting on the nomination Tony Raven, Director of Research and Enterprise Services at the University of Southampton, said: "I'm delighted by this nomination. It is testament to the high quality of research generated by the University, and the expertise, commitment and dedication of our academic community in identifying commercial opportunities and transforming world-class research into quality profitable business."

The University of Southampton has had formidable success in commercialising academic research and was favourably compared with top US institution Stanford University in a recent Library House study. In the study, featured in the Daily Telegraph and Financial Times, the University of Southampton came third after the world-leader Stanford, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, and Cambridge but above other leading US and UK universities. The findings show that the University of Southampton has become extremely proficient at identifying and commercialising the outcome of new academic research.